I'm relatively new here and this is my first impressions thread. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!

Early last week as I was browsing the forums here at Head-Fi, I was alerted to a special by MEElectronics, a small California-based manufacturer of various gadgets such as DAPs and IEMs. Having read a few reviews on their more popular IEMs, the $40 M6 and the M9, which apparently uses the same dynamic driver and retails for about $20, I looked over their product lineup and settled on the slightly more expensive M9P, which comes with a built-in inline microphone which I figured I could use for making Skype calls with my iPod Touch. Yesterday (after a few shipping gaffes by USPS), I received my M9Ps and immediately gave them a listen straight out of the box.

When listening to these for the first time, you can’t help but notice the bass-centric presentation of the M9P because it practically reaches out and smacks you with it. The sound signature is dark, warm and dominated by the low end. The deep, punchy and decently textured bass is easily the biggest strength and biggest weakness of the M9Ps. On one hand, the increased bass response is great for Hip-Hop and Rap as well as Techno, some Jazz and Electronica. On the other hand, the bass may be too boomy and “flabby” to some listeners. I’ve found that it does bleed into the midrange a bit and as a result, mids are slightly recessed. To my surprise, the treble has a decent amount of sparkle and is pretty well extended, which rounds out the sound signature nicely.

One thing that’s missing from the experience is clarity in the sound signature. These are not the most detail-oriented IEMs out there and due to that pronounced low end, there’s a lot to be desired in terms of transparency. Accuracy lovers probably aren’t going to be pleased with these overall. Then again, it’s highly unlikely that detail freaks would be looking at a $20 pair of IEMs to suit their needs.

What’s really surprising about the M9Ps is their airiness and the depth and width of their soundstage. Instrument separation is excellent for the price and imaging is fairly decent as well. I’d even go as far as to say that the soundstage is wider than that of my RE0s which, for a $20 pair of IEMs, is pretty impressive.

As I said before, the M9P IEMs feature a built-in inline microphone which is designed to work with current generation iPhones and second and third generation iPod Touch devices as well as other media devices that accept microphone input through their 3.5mm jack. I’ve tested the inline mic of the M9P on my second generation iPod Touch and it works pretty well. It’s very clear and picks up voices very well while doing a decent enough job of filtering out ambient noise. I would’ve liked to see some volume/playback controls but considering the low price, I think that’s asking a tad too much.

You may have noticed how often I mention that these IEMs are only $20, almost to the point of total redundancy. Well, that was intentional. I really can’t find fault with these for the price MEElectronics is asking for them. Try as I might to find something to criticize, that’s all for naught the instant I remember that I paid $23 (including shipping) for these.

All things considered, I’m very impressed with the out-of-the-box performance of the M9P IEMs. They are well extended at both ends of the sound spectrum (particularly in the low end) and work well with a wide array of music. Overall, the sound signature is definitely on the dark end of the spectrum which will definitely appeal to fans of most modern music. Because of their lack of neutrality and transparency, these are definitely not for accuracy freaks or those interested in neutral tonal balance from their IEMs. These definitely aren’t going to replace my RE0s as my primary IEMs but they make competent backups when I want to listen to something with a little more kick in the low end.

For the price, these are definitely worth checking out. They make great gifts for folks still using stock iBuds, serve as nice backup IEMs and even function as a nice headphone/microphone combo for folks with iPhones and second gen iPod Touches. All in all, I think the MEElectronics M9P IEMs are a great product and I’m very interested in seeing where MEElectronics goes from here.

One thing I've found about the M9 is that its clarity is dependent on keeping the small vent port at the back clear, not covered. I'm used to tucking my RE0 up against the outer edge of my ear. When I do that to the M9, it blocks the port hole, making it sound fuzzy and echo-y. I have to push it into the ear canal and let it point outward and let it "float". That, and burning it in past 60 hours have tightened it up some so that it is listenable.

It would be interesting to hear anyone's comparisons between the M9 and Klipsch S4 -- my recollections of the S4 is that these have a similar sound sig. Very strong, far from laid back.

It would be interesting to hear anyone's comparisons between the M9 and Klipsch S4 -- my recollections of the S4 is that these have a similar sound sig. Very strong, far from laid back.

Agreed, the M9 and S4 share a similar tonal balance with the M9 slightly less aggressive in the treble and slightly more forward at the low end. The difference is in the price, which makes the S4 a no-no for me while the $20 M9's are just right.

Yes, that's just how the button on my week-old M11P (and also the button on my '09 vintage NE-7M) works with my 2009 iPod 120Gb Classic. OTOH, my BlackBerry 8310 Curve does not respond as described to multiple button pushes (last two bullets of that list), and I am OK with that. I have no experience with other DAPs, other generations of iPods, or any iPhone.

I have no reason to suspect that the M9P would behave differently than the M11P.